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Product Name: Triethanolamine
Chemical Formula: C6H15NO3
Synonyms: TEA, Trolamine, Trihydroxytriethylamine
CAS Number: 102-71-6
Recommended Use: Used as an emulsifier, surfactant, chemical intermediate, and in cosmetics, metalworking fluids, textile processing
Manufacturer Information: Chemical supply companies and specialty chemical distributors often provide contact details and 24-hour emergency hotline numbers
Emergency Contact: Chemtrec 1-800-424-9300 (USA) or local emergency numbers
GHS Classification: Eye Irritant (Category 2A); Skin Irritant (Category 2); Acute Oral Toxicity (Category 4)
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements: Causes serious eye irritation; may cause respiratory irritation, skin irritation, and possible allergic reactions; may be harmful if swallowed
Pictograms: Exclamation mark
Precautionary Statements: Wear protective gloves, goggles, and clothing; avoid inhalation of vapors; wash hands thoroughly after handling; keep away from food and drink; avoid release to the environment
NFPA Ratings: Health 2, Flammability 1, Reactivity 0
Chemical Name: Triethanolamine
Purity: Typically greater than 98%
Impurities: Trace amounts of monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, water, glycol compounds
EC Number: 203-049-8
Molecular Weight: 149.19 g/mol
Inhalation: Move affected person to fresh air immediately; provide oxygen or artificial respiration if breathing is difficult; seek medical assistance if symptoms persist
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing and rinse skin with plenty of water for 15 minutes; seek medical attention for burns or persistent irritation
Eye Contact: Rinse carefully with water for at least 15 minutes, lifting eyelids occasionally; remove contact lenses if present and easy to do; get medical aid without delay
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water; do not induce vomiting; seek medical help right away; give small amounts of water only if the victim is fully conscious
Most Important Symptoms: Irritation, redness, pain, coughing, headache, drowsiness, dermatitis
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry chemical, foam, or carbon dioxide
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: High-volume water jet (may spread the product)
Fire Hazards: Product may burn but does not ignite easily; when heated, may emit toxic fumes such as nitrogen oxides and carbon oxides
Protective Equipment: Wear full protective gear and self-contained breathing apparatus to prevent contact with skin and inhalation of smoke
Special Precautions: Cool fire-exposed containers with water; prevent runoff from entering drains and waterways
Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ammonia
Personal Precautions: Evacuate spill area, ventilate space, and restrict access to trained personnel; put on chemical-resistant gloves, goggles, and lab coat
Environmental Precautions: Keep product out of sewers, surface water, and soil; contain the spill with absorbent materials like sand, earth, or vermiculite
Cleanup Methods: Scoop up liquid and transfer to proper disposal containers; wash spill area with water and detergent; collect wash water for disposal
Reporting: Inform local environmental authorities if substance enters environment in sizable quantities
Safe Handling Advice: Work in well-ventilated areas; minimize dust, vapor, and mist formation; wear personal protective equipment suited to workplace needs; avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing; do not breathe vapors or spray
Safe Storage Conditions: Keep in tightly closed, labeled containers; store in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight, strong oxidizers, acids, and food products; protect against freezing and excessive heat
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizing agents, acids, chlorinated compounds, aluminum, copper alloys
Occupational Exposure Limits: ACGIH TLV (TWA) 5 mg/m³
Engineering Controls: Mechanical ventilation, local exhaust, and process enclosures to reduce fumes and vapors; eyewash stations and safety showers in work areas
Personal Protective Equipment: Chemical goggles, face shield, gloves (nitrile or neoprene), coveralls or lab coat; for high concentrations, use a respirator with filters approved for organic vapors
Hygiene Measures: Wash hands, arms, and face thoroughly after use; do not eat, drink, or smoke in work area
Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow viscous liquid
Odor: Slight ammonia-like odor
Odor Threshold: Not readily available
pH: 10 (10% solution)
Melting Point: 21°C (70°F)
Boiling Point: 335°C (635°F)
Flash Point: 179°C (354°F) (closed cup)
Evaporation Rate: Very low
Flammability: Not classified as flammable
Vapor Pressure: <0.01 mmHg at 25°C
Vapor Density: 5.1 (air = 1)
Relative Density: 1.125 at 20°C
Solubility: Fully miscible with water, soluble in alcohol, hygroscopic
Partition Coefficient (log Kow): -2.3
Viscosity: 340 mPa·s at 25°C
Autoignition Temperature: 410°C (770°F)
Decomposition Temperature: Not precisely specified
Chemical Stability: Remains stable under normal temperatures and pressures while protected from contaminants
Reactivity: Can react vigorously with strong oxidizers and acids; slow corrosion of some metals like copper, aluminum, and their alloys
Conditions to Avoid: High heat, direct sunlight, incompatibles, moisture ingress
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ammonia, toxic fumes
Polymerization: Does not occur under standard conditions
Likely Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, ingestion, skin and eye contact
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 6400 mg/kg; dermal LD50 (rabbit): >2000 mg/kg
Chronic Toxicity: Prolonged skin contact causes dermatitis and burns; repeated exposure may lead to liver and kidney effects
Irritation: Severe irritation to eyes; moderate irritation to skin; respiratory irritation reported
Sensitization: Some evidence for mild skin sensitization
Carcinogenicity: Not classified by IARC; some studies raise concerns about nitrosamine formation under certain conditions
Other Effects: Headache, drowsiness, nausea, respiratory discomfort, reddening of eyes or skin
Toxicity to Aquatic Life: Low acute aquatic toxicity; EC50 (algae, 72 hr): 216 mg/L; EC50 (daphnia, 48 hr): 609.98 mg/L
Persistence and Degradability: Biodegrades in the environment under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions
Bioaccumulative Potential: Unlikely to bioaccumulate (log Kow -2.3)
Mobility in Soil: High mobility; likely to migrate to groundwater if spilled
Other Adverse Effects: Large spills can alter pH of aquatic systems and may impact aquatic life by raising alkalinity
Waste Disposal Methods: Dispose following local, regional, and national regulations; avoid dumping in sewers, waterways, and soil; send to authorized chemical waste facilities
Container Disposal: Rinse containers thoroughly before disposal; empty packaging should follow hazardous waste disposal guidelines; puncture and crush before landfilling where allowed
Precautions: Proper labeling and segregation of waste to avoid reaction with incompatible substances
UN Number: Not classified as a hazardous material for transportation under most global regulations
Proper Shipping Name: Not regulated
Transport Hazard Class: Not applicable
Packing Group: Not applicable
Special Precautions: Ensure containers are tightly sealed and upright; protect from extreme temperatures and rough handling; keep away from acids and oxidizers during shipping
OSHA Status: Considered hazardous by Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations
TSCA Status: Listed
REACH: Registered, compliant under European Union regulations
WHMIS (Canada): Classified under Class D2B (Toxic Material causing other toxic effects)
SARA Title III: Not listed under Sections 302, 304; under Section 313 only impurities may be subject to reporting requirements
California Prop 65: Not listed
Other National Regulations: Check compliance with specific local, state, and country laws governing handling and emissions of chemical substances
